King County Water Taxi – West Seattle Blog…http://westseattleblog.com
West Seattle news, 24/7Fri, 09 Dec 2016 17:08:21 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1West Seattle Water Taxi: What’s up for the rest of the weekhttp://westseattleblog.com/2016/11/west-seattle-water-taxi-whats-up-for-the-rest-of-the-week/
http://westseattleblog.com/2016/11/west-seattle-water-taxi-whats-up-for-the-rest-of-the-week/#commentsTue, 22 Nov 2016 17:12:20 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=865935Just in from King County Water Taxi management, a reminder that both WT routes – West Seattle and Vashon – will be out of service on Thanksgiving Day and the day after, so after tomorrow, the next day of service will be Monday. Also, if you were wondering too, no extended service for tonight’s Sounders FC playoff match; King County doesn’t do that during the reduced-schedule fall/winter months.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2016/11/west-seattle-water-taxi-whats-up-for-the-rest-of-the-week/feed/1KING COUNTY BUDGET: Helicopter stays; so does Water Taxi ‘stable funding’http://westseattleblog.com/2016/11/county-budget-finalized-helicopter-stays-so-does-water-taxi-stable-funding/
http://westseattleblog.com/2016/11/county-budget-finalized-helicopter-stays-so-does-water-taxi-stable-funding/#commentsTue, 15 Nov 2016 09:15:01 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=864944The King County Council has finalized its budget. Back in September, we mentioned two items in County Executive Dow Constantine‘s original proposal, so here’s an update on how those fared:

The first was a plan to cut the KC Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, which would have meant no more helicopter availability for Seattle Police as well as other agencies assisted by the KCSO helicopters. The final budget did NOT include that cut, so the helicopter will stay in service.

Second, the proposal to provide “stable funding” for the King County Water Taxi (West Seattle to downtown and Vashon Island to downtown) stayed in the budget, according to a statement from King County Council chair Joe McDermott, who represents the areas served by the Water Taxi. As we reported in September, the funding will come from a levy that is already in place, originally intended for the Water Taxi, then shifted to buses, now shifted back.

EXTENDED SCHEDULE ON THURSDAY: Just announced via text and on the WT website, the West Seattle Water Taxi will run on an extended schedule this Thursday, for the Sounders FC playoff match. The times are on the schedule page.

LAST WEEK OF THIS YEAR’S 7-DAY-A-WEEK SCHEDULE: This also gives us the opportunity to mention that it’s the final week of this year’s seven-day-a-week schedule – after next Sunday, the 5-day-a-week fall/winter schedule begins on Monday (October 31st). You can also preview that on the WSWT schedule page. The 5-day-a-week schedule runs through March 31, 2017.

The King County Department of Transportation says its West Seattle and Vashon Island Water Taxi runs already have passed last year’s total of 515,000 boardings, with two and a half months left in 2016. 339,479 riders were on the WS run, with 175,575 to/from Vashon, the county says, noting that this year’s spikes included the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure last spring and busier summer months than usual – 24,000 extra riders in June, July, and August.

You might recall that the West Seattle run used to shut down entirely during the fall and winter months, but that changed six years ago, and it now runs five days a week during the cooler months; this year’s weekday-only schedule starts on Halloween, two weeks from today.

So far we’ve found two big items of interest in King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s two-year budget proposal, made public this morning.

*The King County Water Taxi, serving West Seattle and Vashon, would have a “stable source” of funding – 1.25 cents per $1,000 valuation. The levy was reduced in 2009 and “reserves” have been used since then, but, says the budget book, “those reserves are now exhausted.”

*The King County Air Support Unit, including this area’s only law-enforcement helicopter Guardian One, will be shut down by 2018 unless, Constantine says, there’s tax reform. In 2017 it would be limited to search-and-rescue operations in King County; in 2018, it would be shut down entirely.

*The county currently has been taxing for the passenger-ferry service at a third of a cent per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. That funding has been supplemented by reserves that the budget says have run out. Constantine proposes increasing the tax rate to 1.25 cents per $1,000 starting next year because the service is “no longer able to draw on reserves to stay afloat.” (Math = $2/year now if your property is assessed at $600,000; just under $8/year with the increase.) Without that increase, next year wouldrun $3 million short. The gap already has been narrowed, the budget book points out, by “efficiencies” enabling the new boats to be operated with a crew of 3 rather than 4.

(added 6:53 pm) King County DOT spokesperson Jeff Switzer sent this clarification:

Taxes won’t be going up as a result of this budget.

The collected property tax amount will stay the same, meaning the county will reduce the property tax collected for Metro by just over $9 million, and the property tax collected for Water Taxi (Marine) will be increased by just over $9 million. No net dollar increase in property tax collections for marine/transit.

The budget calls for another fare increase in 2018, 50 cents for adults, to continue its every-two-year increases.

And one more major Water Taxi note – while there’s no money for it in this two-year budget, there is a line item to “plan, design, and construct a new West Seattle (Water Taxi) terminal during the 2019-2010 budget cycle,” noting that Seacrest has always been meant as just a “temporary” terminal.

*Next, the helicopter elimination, which is just one of several major public-safety cuts in the county executive’s budget, explained in the news release about the budget, with a call for “local tax reform”:

… King County’s General Fund primarily supports criminal justice and other functions required by the state. About 59 percent of net General Fund revenues come from property taxes. The balance is comprised of sales tax and other sources.

In 2007, legislators reinstated Tim Eyman’s I-747, which had been tossed out by the state Supreme Court. The law arbitrarily limited revenue growth in most property taxes to 1 percent annually. The value of new construction is added to the tax base, which amounts to about 0.5 percent to 2.0 percent depending on the economy.

Because property tax is limited below the rate of population growth and inflation, the General Fund is chronically stressed. Last year, about 37,000 people moved to King County, adding to the demands for transit, behavioral and mental health programs, public safety, and other services.

Over the last few months, Executive Constantine worked with the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, county departments, and elected officials to balance the $1.6 billion General Fund budget. Through a mix of revenue changes, efficiencies, and spending reductions, Executive Constantine resolved a $22.4 million shortfall.

Program cuts and service reductions in this budget include:

*Reductions in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

*Closing the work release facility and electronic home detention programs by Jan. 1, 2018.

*Eliminating inmate booking at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent as of Jan. 1, 2018.

*Eliminating the King County Sheriff’s Office air support and marine units by Jan. 1, 2018.

“We will do everything we can to mitigate the impact of these cuts, but let there be no mistake — unless the Legislature fixes the problem, these reductions will only get worse over time,” said Executive Constantine. “And local governments across the state face the identical situation.”

While Guardian One is operated by King County, it is the only helicopter available for regional law-enforcement agencies including Seattle Police.

We’re still reading the county budget and will report on anything else of direct local interest. It now will go through a review-and-comment process in the weeks ahead – find the details here. Our area’s County Councilmember is Joe McDermott, so if you have something to say about these issues or others in the budget, you can e-mail him at joe.mcdermott@kingcounty.gov.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2016/09/county-executives-budget-water-taxi-property-tax-increase-for-stable-funding-guardian-1-may-be-permanently-grounded/feed/33UPDATE: West Seattle Water Taxi sailings interrupted, passengers told of ‘security breach’http://westseattleblog.com/2016/07/west-seattle-water-taxi-sailings-interrupted-passengers-told-of-security-breach/
Sun, 03 Jul 2016 05:24:55 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=84959610:24 PM: Thanks for the tips on this – the 9:30 West Seattle Water Taxi run from downtown, and 10 pm run from Seacrest, have been canceled, and multiple passengers waiting on the downtown dock tell us they were told a “security breach” is to blame, but that there’ll be a sailing from downtown soon. The first tipster tells us – and the online Water Taxi Watch verifies – that the Doc Maynard was parked at the nearby maintenance barge instead of Pier 50 while this was investigated. Working to find out more.

10:39 PM: We’ve heard back from both Jeff Switzer with KC Department of Transportation and Greg Lerner from the Marine Division. Both say a trespasser was being investigated at the Water Taxi maintenance facility, that Seattle Police responded, and that passengers should be on a sailing headed this way shortly. Water Taxi Watch shows Doc Maynard has now moved over to Pier 50.

10:47 PM: One passenger tells us police are still in view, checking out the other two Water Taxi vessels (the maintenance barge is a short distance south of Pier 50 downtown). Vessel Watch shows Doc Maynard now headed this way.

We just checked on the West Seattle Water Taxi numbers for this morning – first commute post-Viaduct closure – after commenter Elton wondered how ridership had gone. From Greg Lerner of the King County Marine Division:

That’s higher than the pre-closure norm, Lerner says, while about half of the ridership tallied last Monday, a Viaductless day with almost perfect weather, and the highest West Seattle ridership day of the entire closure, according to the county’s overview of how both WT runs did for the shutdown period:

The West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes carried record numbers of riders during the 99 closure. Preliminary tallies from April 29 through May 7 show the two routes carried an estimated 30,000 riders, compared to about 13,500 riders the week before.

“We’re thankful to everyone who looked at other travel options besides driving during the closure, and thrilled to see ridership this high,” said Paul Brodeur, director of King County’s Marine Division. “We hope riders continue to see the water taxi as a good option for their trips to and from downtown.”

The West Seattle route roughly tripled its typical ridership as riders took advantage of additional parking options and regular spring service. The service on that route carried more than 24,000 riders compared to a typical 8,000 riders over the same time period. The single-day peak ridership to and from West Seattle was 3,269 riders on May 2, more than triple the riders compared to the week before.

Vashon route ridership climbed by a total of 900 riders during the 99 closure as riders took advantage of additional round trips. Ridership peaked at 1,100 on May 4 compared to about 900 the week before.

The WS boat Doc Maynard was NOT sold out for any of the Friday commute runs – it holds more than 270 passengers – so there’s room for more people to try it out. If you’re riding your bicycle, the boat’s rack holds 26 bikes:

If you’re parking a motor vehicle the added lot at Pier 2 (across from the 7-11 at Harbor/Florida) was significantly underutilized – park there about 20 minutes before your sailing, and catch a free added shuttle to the dock. Just remember the lot is locked between am and pm commute periods. Get complete info on the West Seattle Water Taxi and its Viaduct-closure-related changes by going here.

A day and a half to go until the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed early Friday so that the Highway 99 tunneling machine can start going under it. If you work in or near downtown, you might be planning to use the West Seattle Water Taxi, which has a new boat twice the capacity of the one it had during the 2011 Viaduct closure, among other attributes (the Doc Maynard is faster, too). Ideally, you will get to and from the dock at Seacrest by busing, biking (the boat has room for 26 bikes), walking, or getting dropped off at the dock. If none of that is possible – here’s what you need to know about the parking situation, with added spaces during the closure, as detailed in this special brochure:

That’s the sign at the entrance to Pier 2, right across from the 7-11 in the 2400 block of Harbor Avenue SW, and that’s where you will drive in – these gates will be open:

This lot has about 200 parking spaces and a free shuttle to and from Seacrest – separate from the regular WT shuttle – but because it’s a “secured facility,” it also has restrictions:

It will be staffed Monday through Friday, in the morning from 5:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and in the afternoon between 4 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Cars will not be accessible outside of these hours. We suggest you park here 20 minutes before sailing time. The shuttle will run the .6 mile route continuously between Pier 2 and Seacrest Park.

The county Department of Transportation, which operates the Water Taxi, says the “staffing” means people will be there to point you in the right direction and answer questions.

Closer to the pier, more street parking along Harbor Avenue SW should be available because – as the now-in-place no-parking signs warn – parking is off-limits 2-5 am along the water side of Harbor Avenue during the closure. ONE CHANGE:

Thanks to nearby resident Carolyn for catching this – there’s a change in where that restriction is in place. While the Water Taxi’s closure-related brochure said they would be only south of Seacrest, they instead stretch north to just east of the small angled-parking area at Duwamish Head. Again, these street-parking spaces are available except for 2-5 am.

Finally, about 40 spaces will be available in this unpaved area south of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), which is the city-owned Bronson street end – look for the Parks sign so you know you’re in the right place:

Where NOT to park: Don Armeni Boat Ramp. While some spaces were made available there in 2011, that was late October and not much boating going on. This time it’s not part of the plan.

Other points if you’re new to the Water Taxi:

*The sailing schedule is here. The Doc Maynard leaves West Seattle every half-hour from 6:15 to 9:15, and then takes a break until 11 am.

*You can buy your ticket(s) via machines at the dock – at Seacrest, on the east side of the building – or else pay as you board, with exact-change cash or an ORCA card.

11:28 AM: The sun is starting to win its fight with the clouds and that means it’s an even-better day for a free ride on the West Seattle Water Taxi – if you’ve never been on it before, you might at least want to take a trial run in case you need it during the upcoming 2-week Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. The county has declared this “Customer Appreciation Day” with all trips free to the end of today’s schedule – 8 pm is the last run from Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW). If you get here before noon, free refreshments are happening under the blue tent by the gangway, but otherwise, it’s a low-key celebration. Lots of room on the M/V Doc Maynard, which is double the capacity of its predecessor – it has room for 270+ passengers.

12:26 PM: Adding more photos. Thanks to Alex Erzen for this photo taken during his ride:

Two photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand:

You can get to and from Seacrest via the free Water Taxi shuttle – today’s schedules are here (Route 773 to and from The Junction) and here (Route 775 to and from Admiral and Alki). Parking can be a challenge; for the Viaduct closure expected later this spring, there will be added parking and shuttles, as detailed in the presentation that the City Council will see tomorrow.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2016/04/happening-now-free-west-seattle-water-taxi-rides-all-day/feed/2Free West Seattle Water Taxi rides during April 10th celebrationhttp://westseattleblog.com/2016/03/free-west-seattle-water-taxi-rides-during-april-10th-celebration/
http://westseattleblog.com/2016/03/free-west-seattle-water-taxi-rides-during-april-10th-celebration/#commentsThu, 31 Mar 2016 16:58:33 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=838982One week from tomorrow, the West Seattle Water Taxi starts its spring/summer 7-days-a-week schedule. Two days later, you’ll get to ride the new M/V Doc Maynard – twice the capacity of its predecessor – for free during Community Appreciation Day on Sunday, April 10th, hosted by the King County Marine Division at Seacrest Pier. Full announcement after the jump:

Now that the clouds are parting and it’s starting to feel like spring, King County Executive Dow Constantine is inviting you to get out on the water and experience West Seattle’s new water taxi.

Sunday, April 10 is Community Appreciation Day, hosted by the King County Marine Division. So bring your friends and family out to Seacrest Dock and get an up-close look at the M/V Doc Maynard and take a ride across the bay to Pier 50. All trips will be free as the water taxi kicks off its summer sailing schedule.

“I invite my West Seattle neighbors to take a ride on our new state-of-the-art water taxi as we kick off the summer sailing schedule,” said Executive Constantine. “The M/V Doc Maynard is the latest example of how we’re offering clean, fast, reliable alternatives to gridlock. Grab your sunscreen and join us on April 10th”.

The M/V Sally Fox, the sister ship of the Doc Maynard operating the Vashon route, was recently named one of the top 10 passenger vessels in the world for 2015 by a leading maritime trade magazine. The vessel was recognized for her hull design which increases passenger comfort, deck layout for efficient boardings, and green technology features.

In addition to free rides and refreshments, you’ll be able to tour the new vessel during its trips and meet the crew. King County Council Chair Joe McDermott and Paul Brodeur will also be on hand to greet guests and answer questions at 10:30 a.m.

The Doc Maynard is much larger than the catamaran it replaced. The vessel carries 278 passengers, 131 more than the M/V Spirit of Kingston, which now serves as a reserve vessel. The added capacity offers more room during the busiest weekday commutes and other peak travel periods.

The Doc Maynard is also one of the greenest vessels on the water. The boat is powered by a 10 percent blend of homegrown biodiesel, thereby reducing harmful exhaust emissions. By using biodiesel, the boat is doing its part to reduce consumption of petroleum diesel and particulate matter.

King County’s West Seattle service served more than 300,000 passengers last year. Ridership for both the West Seattle and Vashon service topped a half-million boardings in 2015.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2016/03/free-west-seattle-water-taxi-rides-during-april-10th-celebration/feed/5What you’ll pay to ride West Seattle’s Water Taxi when fares rise in Marchhttp://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/what-youll-pay-to-ride-west-seattles-water-taxi-when-fares-rise-in-march/
http://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/what-youll-pay-to-ride-west-seattles-water-taxi-when-fares-rise-in-march/#commentsMon, 18 Jan 2016 19:34:11 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=830516(WSB photo from M/V Doc Maynard’s first morning on the West Seattle run, last week)

King County Water Taxi fares are going up on March 1st. We just found the new fares posted on the Water Taxi website – most fares on the West Seattle-to-downtown run are going up 50 cents each way, and most remain discounted if you use an ORCA card to pay:

When the system’s first-ever “strategic plan” was published a little more than a year ago, it pointed out that while “farebox recovery” was rising, the system was still operating unsustainably, and more had to be done to increase revenue. The county is also studying adding more routes – as noted in the newest Water Taxi newsletter, two on Lake Washington and one from downtown to Ballard are under discussion. Ridership on both existing routes – West Seattle and Vashon Island – set a record last year, surpassing half a million passengers.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/what-youll-pay-to-ride-west-seattles-water-taxi-when-fares-rise-in-march/feed/24VIDEO: West Seattle’s new Water Taxi M/V Doc Maynard is officially on the run between Seacrest and downtownhttp://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/video-west-seattles-new-water-taxi-mv-doc-maynard-is-on-the-run/
http://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/video-west-seattles-new-water-taxi-mv-doc-maynard-is-on-the-run/#commentsThu, 07 Jan 2016 14:28:34 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=333858

The M/V Doc Maynard is ending its first West Seattle-to-Downtown Seattle passenger run right about now; our Instagram clip above shows its first WS arrival, our YouTube clip below, its first departure:

TV lights shone on the first passengers to board; we were on Seacrest Pier watching as they admired the big new boat, delivered and dedicated in last September – since then, it’s spent some time filling in for its twin boat on the Vashon run, M/V Sally Fox, and awaited dock improvements at Seacrest, which were finished last month, enabling the crew to train for today and beyond. It can hold 278 passengers, more than twice its predecessor, the Spirit of Kingston, which is now the KCWT’s backup boat. And there’s rack space for 26 bicycles. KC Department of Transportation’s Marine Division director Paul Brodeur talked up other key points while the DM was boarding:

(September photo of M/V Doc Maynard, by Mike)
Three and a half months after its ceremonial dedication, the M/V Doc Maynard will finally take over the King County Water Taxi’s West Seattle-to-Downtown Seattle run tomorrow. Just in from the King County Department of Transportation:

Pier modifications to Seacrest Dock and crew training have been completed clearing the way for the MV Doc Maynard to begin morning service on the West Seattle route tomorrow (Thursday) morning. The MV Doc Maynard will serve as the primary vessel on the West Seattle route with the Spirit of Kingston backing her up as necessary.

The vessel, built by All American Marine in Bellingham, carries 278 passengers, 131 more than the Spirit of Kingston. The added capacity will offer more room as the West Seattle route continues to grow. In 2015, the West Seattle route served over 313,000 passengers, an increase of nearly 11 percent from 2014.

Like the M/V Sally Fox that operates the Vashon run, the Doc Maynard has indoor and outdoor seating, ADA accessible bathrooms and wheelchair tie-downs, space for 26 bicycles and video screens that will display safety, schedule and trip information. But because the new vessel will be spending most of its time in the calmer waters of Elliott Bay, passengers will have access to an outdoor forward bow that will offer a better view of the sights.

]]>http://westseattleblog.com/2016/01/mv-doc-maynard-officially-becomes-west-seattles-water-taxi-tomorrow/feed/6TOMORROW: Why you’ll see Water Taxi vessels at Seacrest on a no-service Saturdayhttp://westseattleblog.com/2015/12/tomorrow-why-youll-see-water-taxi-vessels-at-seacrest/
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 01:48:13 +0000http://westseattleblog.com/?p=332400This time of year, the King County Water Taxi runs are Monday through Friday only, so you might do a double-take to see the current and future West Seattle Water Taxis, Spirit of Kingston and Doc Maynard, at Seacrest tomorrow. County Department of Transportation spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok tells WSB that they’ll be involved in installation/adjustment of dock upgrades tomorrow, as preparations continue for putting the DM on the run full time next month.